Thunder
The Thunder is a multi-role interceptor/transport craft. It can be researched following the discovery of the New Fighter Transport technology.
Information
The Thunder is a redesign of the vanilla Lightning. Compared to its predecessor, the Thunder features an improved troop carrying capacity of 20 soldiers and it can now carry up to three Heavy Weapon Platforms into combat. From a strategic sense it is now a near direct upgrade to the Skyranger and Skystriker.
As a combat aircraft it features a strong hull integrity of 800 points, it is significantly faster than prior transports and Earth made Interceptors, at a speed of 3,100, however it is markedly slower than the Firestorm and Avenger crafts. Furthermore it still can only mount a single craft weapon at a time, however it's hull armour affords it the capability of being able to shoot down weaker class UFOs, survive the attack, and then immediately assault it on the ground.
It has a low operational air time, due to fuel constraints, meaning it cannot hover in location for an extended period of time, and must deploy immediately into a battle instead of being able to patrol. However its fast speed allows it to reach its landing zones much faster than older air transports.
The Thunder requires a large investment in its construction. $2.5 million dollars, 150 Alien Alloys and a single UFO Power Source and Navigation. However as the craft is wholesale constructed from salvaged materials from X-COM, it has no maintenance requirements.
This craft can be best seen as a rapid response transport. It may be too cost-intensive for widescale construction but it can be best used for your best teams. Its weapons mean it can either intercept low-threat UFOs, or provide assistance in shooting down high value targets as part of a joint strike operation alongside other dedicated interception craft.
Battlescape Strategy
The Thunder features a double wide door exit via a ramp, identical to all other conventional transports. Furthermore the Thunder no longer has an automatic exit door that the original Lightning featured. Ergo a standard exit strategy akin to the Skyranger/striker will be preferred here.
Due to the wider interior design of the Thunder, there is more room for soldiers to move around in the Thunder prior to dis-embarking. If there are HWPs on the craft, soldiers adjacent to the entrance can fire outside without the HWPs having to move.
Battlescape Graphics
Thunder Level 0
Thunder Level 1
Thunder Level 2
Strategic Statistics
| Maximum Speed: | 3,100 knots (5,741km/h) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 40 |
| Weapon Pods: | 1 |
| Damage Capacity: | 800 |
| Cargo Space: | 20 |
| Monthly Fee: | None |
| HWP Capacity: | 3 |
Manufacturing Stats
| Manufacture | Construct |
|---|---|
| Cost | $2,500,000 |
| Technician Hours | 18,000 |
| Workspace | 40 |
| Materials | 150 Alien Alloys, 1 UFO Power Source, 1 UFO Navigation |
